Royal National Park
Encyclopedia
Royal National Park is a national park
in New South Wales
, Australia
, 29 km south of Sydney CBD
.
Founded by Sir John Robertson, Acting Premier
of New South Wales, and formally proclaimed on 26 April 1879, it is the world's second oldest purposed national park, the first usage of the term "national park" after Yellowstone
in the United States
. Its original name was National Park, but it was renamed in 1955 after Elizabeth II, Queen of Australia
passed by in the train on the way from Wollongong during her 1954 tour. (It could be argued that Royal is the oldest gazette
d national park because Yellowstone's original gazetting was "public park or pleasuring ground")
The park was added to the Australian National Heritage List
in December, 2006.
The park includes the settlements of Audley
, Maianbar
and Bundeena
. There was once a railway line connected to the City Rail Illawarra line but this has now closed. The Sydney Tramway Museum
, at Loftus
currently runs a tram line on this allotment.
Audley can be accessed by road, from Loftus, Waterfall or Otford, and there are several railway stations (Loftus, Heathcote, Waterfall, Otford) on the outskirts of the park. Bundeena and Maianbar can also be accessed by road through the park or by the passenger ferry service from Cronulla
.
There are numerous cycling and walking trails, barbecue areas and picnic sites throughout the park. Over 100 kilometres of walking tracks take in a wide range of scenery. Cycling is allowed on fire trails and on specially marked tracks within the Park. The specially marked mountain biking
tracks are bi-directional; care should be taken when traversing these trails. A fee of $11.00 applies when taking a car into the Park.
The most popular walk is the Coast Walk, which skirts the park's eastern edge and delivers exceptional coastal scenery. It is a 30 kilometre track, involving walking from Bundeena to Otford, or vice versa. It's recommended that walkers allow 2 days for the walk. This walk is often done as part of the Duke of Edinburgh's Award.
The park has been burnt in bushfires on several occasions, most notably in 1994
and in the 2001 Black Christmas
fires. Australian native bush naturally regenerates after bushfires and as of 2008 few signs of these fires remain visible. In times of extreme fire danger the parks service might close the park to ensure visitor safety.
There are camping sites at Bonnie Vale, North Era and Wattamolla. These are the only places where camping is permitted within the park, and they are regulated with a booking/registration system, which requires pre-booking a site. The park charges a vehicle access fee, but is free for people on foot.
Royal National Park contains a wide variety of terrain. Roughly, landscapes in the park vary from coastal cliffs broken by beaches and small inlets to an ancient high plateau broken by extensive and deep river valleys. The river valleys drain from south to north where they run into Port Hacking
, the extensive but generally shallow harbor inlet which forms the northern border of the park. When looking across the park from east to west (or vice versa) the rugged folds of valley after valley fade into the distance.
The geology of the site consists mostly of the Triassic Hawkesbury Sandstone with some sections of the park having the more recent richer Wianamtta shale capping. Deep below the Hawkesbury sandstone belt lies Narrabeen Shales which is mixture of shale and sandstone under which and within which are untapped coal seams which run right through Sydney and are mined extensively where they come closer to the surface south of the National Park near Wollongong. Sections of recent alluvium fringes of estuarine watercourse where the endangered ecological communities; Swamp Oak Woodlands and Swamp Mahogany Woodlands grow still.
characterized by hardy, low-growing, salt-tolerant shrubs that spread across rocky, hard terrain with very little topsoil. The coast itself is composed mostly of high cliffs reaching a height of nearly one hundred metres at the southern end. These cliffs are punctuated by a number of fine, sandy beaches open to the ocean and providing fine swimming and surfing. Several of the beaches can be reached by road, others only by several hours bush walking
. There are a small number of rocky coves. The beaches, two of which have volunteer surf life saving clubs and large car parks, are amongst the most visited areas of the park. These heath lands are a hotspot for many small birds that have forsaken the suburbs of Sydney such as the beautiful New Holland Honeyeater
.
Common vegetation on the exposed heaths on the headlands and cliffside paths include; Coastal Rosemary (Westringia fruticosa
), Darwinia Darwinia fascicularis
ssp. fascicularis, Bracelet Honey-myrtle (Melaleuca armillaris
), She-oak (Allocasuarina distyla), White Kunzea (Kunzea ambigua), Sundew (Drosera spathulata), Grass Trees (Xanthorrhoea
spp.), Ridged Heath-myrtle (Baeckea imbricata),Snakehood Orchids (Pterostylis
sp.), prostrate forms of Coast Banksia (Banksia integrifolia
) and Long-Leaf Matrush (Lomandra longifolia
).
Common Vegetation on top of the ancient sand dunes above the coastal path include: Silver Banksia (Banksia marginata
), Scrub-oak (Allocasuarina distyla
), Silky Hakea (Hakea sericea
) and Pine Heath (Astroloma pinifolium
).
Sections of rare and threatened clifftop grasslands occur along exposed and windy sites which are generally dominated by Long-leaf Mat-Rush (Lomandra longifolia
) and Kangaroo Grass (Themeda australis).
Many heath specialist birds are present in the heaths which include; Lewin Honeyeater (Meliphaga lewinii), New Holland Honeyeater (Phylidonyris novaehollandiae), Beautiful Firetail
(Stagonopleura bella), Chestnut-rumped Heathwren
(Hylacola pyrrhopygia) and the Southern Emu-wren
Moving farther inland the terrain rises to a series of very rocky ridges and plateaus characterized by hardy, low-growing shrubs and very poor, rocky soil. These ridges are the remnants of an ancient, much larger plateau that has been deeply eroded into an extensive series of river valleys. This specific ridge land habitat is particularly significant for Sydney as most similar habitat was left unprotected and was subsequently destroyed to make way for cheap development which has made many species only found ridges threatened with extinction due to extreme habitat clearance/fragmentation. Soils on plateau land are often up to 2m deep and consist of on Sandstone ridges: sandy podsol interspersed with pockets of clay derived. Clay Ridges and Plateaus also have deep Soils but are far rarer due to lack of representation in the park on these sites the soil is derived from Wianamatta clay and is considered rich land producing good quality forest.
and other tree species are prevalent. Small streams are to be found reasonably frequently and understory plants cohabitate with the larger trees, although the terrain is still fairly open and easy to move through. Tree heights in this area reach an average maximum of about ten metres. The plant mix and geography conditions in this area are typical of much of the terrain in the coastal areas of New South Wales
but with many widespread genera having highly localized species in the Royal National Park. This sort of habitat is one of the most floristically diverse in Sydney Basin.
This environment is classed as sclerophyll open forest and is divided into "Dry" and "Wet" sclerophyll forest. Factors shape this habitat are primarily bushfires, low phosphorus/nitrogen levels, intense summer heat and low water levels. Resulting in a diverse floristic assembly of flora and fauna with apparently divergent paths in similar habitats, for example scribbly gums (Eucalyptus racemosa/sclerophylla/haemastoma) have smooth barked trees in a manner which reduces their chance of catching on fire while stringy barks (Eucalyptus sp.) have bark which easily catches alight clearing the way for its fire-stimulated seedlings.
Commonly encountered vegetation in this environments include but are not limited to; Sydney redgums (Angophora costata), Sydney Peppermints (Eucalyptus piperita), Port Jackson Pine (Callitris rhomboidea), Red Bloodwoods (Corymbia gummifera), Pomaderris sp., Old Man Banksia (Banksia serrata), Hairpin Banksia (Banksia spinulosus), Rock Banksia (Banksia oblongifolia), Sydney Boronia (Boronia ledifolia), Native Sarsaparilla (Smilax glyciphylla), Violet Twining Pea (Hardenbergia violacea), Dusky Coral Pea (Kennedia rubicunda), the traditional narcotic Hop Bush (Dodonaea triquetra), Native Pea(Dillwynia sieberi), sometimes Dwarf Apple (Angophora hispida), parasitic Devils Twine (Cassytha sp.), Native Panic (Entolasia stricta), Lepidosperma sp. grass, Forest Grass Trees (Xanthorrhoea arborea), Sydney Waratah (Telopea speciosissima), Flannel Flowers (Actinotus minor as well as Actinotus helianthi), Bluberry Ash (Elaeocarpus reticulatus), Silky Hakea (Hakea sericea), Variable Bossiaea (Bossiaea heterophylla), Bonnet Orchids (Cryptostylis erecta), Hyacinth Orchids (Dipodium variegatum/punctatum/roseum), Pomax umbellata, Native Parsley (Lomatia silaifolia), edible Native Currants (Leptomeria acida), Broad Leaved Geebungs (Persoonia levis), Sydney Golden Wattles (Acacia longifolia), Gymea Lilies (Doryanthes excelsa), various Sheo-oaks (Allocasuarina littoralis/distyla/verticillata etc.), Flax Leafed Wattle (Acacia linifolia), Bracken (Pteridium esculentum), Grey Spider Flower (Grevillea buxifolia/sphacelata), Red Spider Flower (Grevillea oleoides), Pink Spider Flower (Grevillea sericea) and Native iris (Patersonia sericea/glabrata/longifolia) to literally name a few of the hundreds of beautiful flora encountered in this diverse and widespread habitat. Even certain hybrid species may be encountered such as the common Banksia ericifolia x spinulosus or the rarer Angophora costata x hispida.
Birds that frequent this habitat include; Golden Whistlers (Pachycephala pectoralis),Yellow-tailed Black Cockatoos (Calyptorhynchus funereus), Laughing Kookaburra (Dacelo novaeguineae), Eastern Whip Birds (Psophodes olivaceus), New Holland Honey Eaters (Phylidonyris novaehollandiae), Eastern Spinebill (Acanthorhynchus tenuirostris), Rufous Whistler (Pachycephala rufiventris), Willie Wagtails (Rhipidura leucophrys), Superb Fairy Wrens (Malurus cyaneus), Crimson Rosella/Mountain Lowry (Platycercus elegans), Yellow-rumped Thornbill (Acanthiza chrysorrhoa) and White-browed Scrubwrens (Sericornis frontalis).
Other commonly encountered animals in this habitat include; Native Honeybees, Wallaroos (Macropus robustus), Common Echidnas (Tachyglossus aculeatus) as well as other far rarer species such as the Koala (Phascolarctos cinereus), the Dingo (Canis lupus dingo) or the predatory native marsupial the Spotted Quoll (Dasyurus maculatus spp. maculatus).
With rich soils and good supply of water the valley floors are cooler and more humid than any other part of the park. Large tree species such as Australian Cedar (Toona cilliata prev. T. australis) and the larger Eucalypt
species dominate. Tree height reach 50 metres or more and a rich understory of fern
, wattles
, and other medium-size plants proliferate. Some small areas are classified as temperate rainforest
. These areas are characterized by dense groves of very large trees including the iconic Port Jackson Fig (Ficus rubiginosa) and Moreton Bay Fig ("Ficus macrophylla") trees. The absence of light leads to a lack of undergrowth other than a profusion of ferns. These are among the more popular areas for visitors to the park. The park service is also very careful to protect these areas due to their general rarity in the hot, arid Australian landscape.
Impressive groves of Turpentine (Syncarpia glomulifera) and Blackbutt (Eucalyptus pilularis) trees may be seen growing straight up into the sky forming an open canopy with widely spaced trunks. In these characteristic areas they are generally considered open forest, they may have a grassy understory, a sclerophyll shrubbery or alternatively they may have a rainforest subcanopy or a rainforest understory with growth being densest nearest to the valley floor or permanent watercourses. In these turpentine forests often hundreds of Cabbage Palms (Livistona australis) may be seen growing in dense tall thickets which are rarely touched by fire or they may exist as young plants in open grassy spaces which are burnt regularly enough not to form visible trunks. Rainforest pockets are dominated by Jackwood and Sassafras
. The Lilli Pilli (Acmena smithii) produces a fruit edible raw. Another common species is the Coachwood (Ceratopetalum apetalum) which were used extensively from Australian rainforests to manufacture horse-drawn coaches.
Birds distinctive to these rich rainforest habitats include; Topknot Pigeons (Lopholaimus antarcticus), Green Catbirds (Ailuroedus crassirostris), Rufous Fantails (Rhipidura rufifrons) and Black-faced Monarchs (Monarcha melanopsis). Two interesting birds often encountered in dense scrub or rainforest include the flightless Brush Turkey (Alectura lathami) and the noise mimicking Superb Lyre Bird (Menura novaehollandiae).
), Sydney Red Gum (Angophora costata
), Water Gums (Tristaniopsis laurina
), Bottlebrush (Melaleuca
sp.), Tea Trees (Leptospermum sp.), Woolsia (Woollsia pungens
), Epacris sp., Heath Banksia (Banksia ericifolia
), Pittosporum undulatum
, Pine Leafed Geebungs (Persoonia pinifolia
), Willow Leaved Hakea (Hakea salicifolia
), Lomandra fluviatilis, Bulrushes (Typha orientalis/dominigensis), Rushes (Juncus
sp.), Reeds (Phragmites australis) and Tree Ferns (Cyathea
and Dicksonia
sp..
A variety of different molluscs, crustaceans, insects, fish and birds call the riparian zone their home with a variety of life living near on in the creeks of the Royal National Park. Long Finned Eels (Anguilla reinhardtii) which migrate from oceanic spawning grounds as babies and adults mature in the creeks and streams of the Royal National Park and can often be seen in the murky depths of pools and ponds along freshwater courses such as the Hacking River
.
var. australasica) growing up to 4m as well as the River Mangrove (Aegiceras corniculatum
) which is usually only found on the shoreward edge of mangrove woods or in the brackish end of the Port Hacking Estuary.
These mangroves are important nursery grounds for nearly all major angling fish including Yellowfin Bream (Acanthopagrus australis), Flat-tail Sea-Mullet (Liza argentea), Luderick (Girella tricuspidata) and Sand Whiting (Sillago ciliata) which are caught in adjoining waters as adults, mangroves also provide rich organic matter to the Port Hacking Estuary by fixing carbon into the river system through the addition of leaves into the thick rich black mud. Many crustacean and mollusc species rely on mangroves as a source of food whether by providing foraging through leaf litter, mud or direct predation of the mangrove trees and seeds. Soldier Crabs (Mictyris longicarpus
), Semaphore Crab (Heloecius cordiformis), Blue Swimmer Crabs (Portunus pelagicus
) and Hermit Crabs (Pagurus sinuatus
) also call the mangroves home. A more casual visitor to the mangroves at high tide is the Eastern Sea Garfish (Hyporhamphus australis) which scoots around just an inch from the surface and is virtually invisible unless viewed through a snorkel.
Dozens of different bird species may be seen foraging in the rich mudflats in and around mangrove flats many of these birds being threatened with extinction and protected by international agreements. Commonly seen bird species include; Eastern Curlews (Numenius madagascariensis), Striated Herons (Butorides striatus), Brown Honeyeaters (Lichmera indistincta), Little Egrets (Egretta garzetta), Royal Spoonbills (Platalea regia), White-faced Grey Herons (Egretta novaehollandiae), Australasian Little Bitterns (Ixobrychus dubius), Pied Oyster Catchers (Haematopus longirostris), Australasian Pelican (Pelecanus conspicillatus), Sacred Ibis (Threskiornis molucca), Chestnut Teal (Anas castanea) and Azure Kingfishers (Alcedo azurea).
Estuary Line of the National Park broken on by small sandy beaches and gentle freshwater inlets. Some of the most commonly encountered molluscs in this habitat include Black Nerites (Nerita atramentosa
), Turbin Snails (Turbo undulata), Zebra Snails (Austrocochlea porcata) as well as the commercially farmed Sydney Rock Oyster (Saccostrea glomerata). One of the most common and distinctive seaweed
species that grow among the rock pools and the nearshore rockshelfs is Neptunes Necklace (Hormosira banksii) a seaweed made of small buoyant fleshy bead-like structures which resemble strongly that of a necklace. Beds of the primitive sea-squirt Cunjevoi (Pyura stolonifera
) are common along coastal rockshelfs which are covered by high tide and near sea spray. Considered the most beautiful and obvious of the Royal National Parks' sea anemone is the Waratah Anemone (Actinia tenebrosa
) named after the Waratah flower due to its corresponding flame red coloration. A common sea-star found growing in the rock pools is the Biscuit Sea Star (Tosia australis).
The fatally toxic Blue-lined Octopus (Hapalochlaena fasciata) the most common of the Blue-ringed Octopus
species in the area can when touched prove to be fatal within minutes, they are near impossible to spot unless pointed out and can found in small or large rock pools, the best way to avoid stings completely is to not allowed any part of one's body to enter any rock pool.
beaches, for experiencing harmony between nature and the human body.
Werrong Beach is "the only authorised nude bathing area in the national park".
Informally listed places are:
National park
A national park is a reserve of natural, semi-natural, or developed land that a sovereign state declares or owns. Although individual nations designate their own national parks differently A national park is a reserve of natural, semi-natural, or developed land that a sovereign state declares or...
in New South Wales
New South Wales
New South Wales is a state of :Australia, located in the east of the country. It is bordered by Queensland, Victoria and South Australia to the north, south and west respectively. To the east, the state is bordered by the Tasman Sea, which forms part of the Pacific Ocean. New South Wales...
, Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
, 29 km south of Sydney CBD
Sydney central business district
The Sydney central business district is the main commercial centre of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. It extends southwards for about 3 kilometres from Sydney Cove, the point of first European settlement. Its north–south axis runs from Circular Quay in the north to Central railway station in...
.
Founded by Sir John Robertson, Acting Premier
Premiers of New South Wales
The Premier of New South Wales is the head of government in the state of New South Wales, Australia. The Government of New South Wales follows the Westminster system, with a Parliament of New South Wales acting as the legislature...
of New South Wales, and formally proclaimed on 26 April 1879, it is the world's second oldest purposed national park, the first usage of the term "national park" after Yellowstone
Yellowstone National Park
Yellowstone National Park, established by the U.S. Congress and signed into law by President Ulysses S. Grant on March 1, 1872, is a national park located primarily in the U.S. state of Wyoming, although it also extends into Montana and Idaho...
in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. Its original name was National Park, but it was renamed in 1955 after Elizabeth II, Queen of Australia
Monarchy in Australia
The Monarchy of Australia is a form of government in which a hereditary monarch is the sovereign of Australia. The monarchy is a constitutional one modelled on the Westminster style of parliamentary government, incorporating features unique to the Constitution of Australia.The present monarch is...
passed by in the train on the way from Wollongong during her 1954 tour. (It could be argued that Royal is the oldest gazette
Gazette
A gazette is a public journal, a newspaper of record, or simply a newspaper.In English- and French-speaking countries, newspaper publishers have applied the name Gazette since the 17th century; today, numerous weekly and daily newspapers bear the name The Gazette.Gazette is a loanword from the...
d national park because Yellowstone's original gazetting was "public park or pleasuring ground")
The park was added to the Australian National Heritage List
Australian National Heritage List
The Australian National Heritage List is a list of places deemed to be of outstanding heritage significance to Australia. The list includes natural, historic and indigenous places...
in December, 2006.
Overview
Audley, New South Wales
Audley is a locality on the outskirts of southern Sydney, in the state of New South Wales, Australia. It is located in the Royal National Park and is part of the Sutherland Shire....
, Maianbar
Maianbar, New South Wales
Maianbar is a village on the outskirts of southern Sydney, in the state of New South Wales, Australia. Maianbar is located 29 kilometres south of the Sydney central business district and is part of the Sutherland Shire....
and Bundeena
Bundeena, New South Wales
Bundeena is a village on the outskirts of southern Sydney, in the state of New South Wales, Australia. Bundeena is located 29km south of the Sydney central business district and is part of the local government area of the Sutherland Shire....
. There was once a railway line connected to the City Rail Illawarra line but this has now closed. The Sydney Tramway Museum
Sydney Tramway Museum
The Sydney Tramway Museum is an operating tramway museum, located in Loftus in the southern suburbs of Sydney, Australia. Sydney Tramway Museum is the trading name of the South Pacific Electric Railway ....
, at Loftus
Loftus railway station, Sydney
-Transport links:Veolia Transport runs two routes via Loftus station:*991 - between Sutherland and Heathcote*992 - between Miranda and Engadine-Neighbouring stations:-References:...
currently runs a tram line on this allotment.
Audley can be accessed by road, from Loftus, Waterfall or Otford, and there are several railway stations (Loftus, Heathcote, Waterfall, Otford) on the outskirts of the park. Bundeena and Maianbar can also be accessed by road through the park or by the passenger ferry service from Cronulla
Cronulla, New South Wales
Cronulla is a beachside suburb, in southern Sydney, in the state of New South Wales, Australia. Cronulla is located 26 kilometres south of the Sydney central business district, in the local government area of Sutherland Shire....
.
There are numerous cycling and walking trails, barbecue areas and picnic sites throughout the park. Over 100 kilometres of walking tracks take in a wide range of scenery. Cycling is allowed on fire trails and on specially marked tracks within the Park. The specially marked mountain biking
Mountain biking
Mountain biking is a sport which consists of riding bicycles off-road, often over rough terrain, using specially adapted mountain bikes. Mountain bikes share similarities with other bikes, but incorporate features designed to enhance durability and performance in rough terrain.Mountain biking can...
tracks are bi-directional; care should be taken when traversing these trails. A fee of $11.00 applies when taking a car into the Park.
The most popular walk is the Coast Walk, which skirts the park's eastern edge and delivers exceptional coastal scenery. It is a 30 kilometre track, involving walking from Bundeena to Otford, or vice versa. It's recommended that walkers allow 2 days for the walk. This walk is often done as part of the Duke of Edinburgh's Award.
The park has been burnt in bushfires on several occasions, most notably in 1994
1994 Eastern seaboard fires
The 1994 Eastern seaboard fires were bushfires in New South Wales, Australia between 27 December 1993 and 16 January 1994 were widespread along the NSW coast from Bega to the Queensland border and inland as far as Bathurst. Over 80 separate fires encouraged by extreme hot dry and windy conditions...
and in the 2001 Black Christmas
Black Christmas (bushfires)
The Black Christmas bushfires were bushfires that burnt for almost three weeks from 25 December 2001 across New South Wales, Australia. It was the longest continuous bushfire emergency in NSW history....
fires. Australian native bush naturally regenerates after bushfires and as of 2008 few signs of these fires remain visible. In times of extreme fire danger the parks service might close the park to ensure visitor safety.
There are camping sites at Bonnie Vale, North Era and Wattamolla. These are the only places where camping is permitted within the park, and they are regulated with a booking/registration system, which requires pre-booking a site. The park charges a vehicle access fee, but is free for people on foot.
Geography, flora and fauna
Port Hacking
Port Hacking is an Australian estuary, located in Southern Sydney, New South Wales and fed by the Hacking River and several smaller creeks, including Bundeena Creek and The Basin. It is a ria, a river basin which has become submerged by the sea...
, the extensive but generally shallow harbor inlet which forms the northern border of the park. When looking across the park from east to west (or vice versa) the rugged folds of valley after valley fade into the distance.
The geology of the site consists mostly of the Triassic Hawkesbury Sandstone with some sections of the park having the more recent richer Wianamtta shale capping. Deep below the Hawkesbury sandstone belt lies Narrabeen Shales which is mixture of shale and sandstone under which and within which are untapped coal seams which run right through Sydney and are mined extensively where they come closer to the surface south of the National Park near Wollongong. Sections of recent alluvium fringes of estuarine watercourse where the endangered ecological communities; Swamp Oak Woodlands and Swamp Mahogany Woodlands grow still.
Coastal heathland
Running the full coastal length of the park is a coastal heathlandHeath (habitat)
A heath or heathland is a dwarf-shrub habitat found on mainly low quality acidic soils, characterised by open, low growing woody vegetation, often dominated by plants of the Ericaceae. There are some clear differences between heath and moorland...
characterized by hardy, low-growing, salt-tolerant shrubs that spread across rocky, hard terrain with very little topsoil. The coast itself is composed mostly of high cliffs reaching a height of nearly one hundred metres at the southern end. These cliffs are punctuated by a number of fine, sandy beaches open to the ocean and providing fine swimming and surfing. Several of the beaches can be reached by road, others only by several hours bush walking
Hiking
Hiking is an outdoor activity which consists of walking in natural environments, often in mountainous or other scenic terrain. People often hike on hiking trails. It is such a popular activity that there are numerous hiking organizations worldwide. The health benefits of different types of hiking...
. There are a small number of rocky coves. The beaches, two of which have volunteer surf life saving clubs and large car parks, are amongst the most visited areas of the park. These heath lands are a hotspot for many small birds that have forsaken the suburbs of Sydney such as the beautiful New Holland Honeyeater
New Holland Honeyeater
The New Holland Honeyeater is a honeyeater species found throughout southern Australia. It was among the first birds to be scientifically described in Australia, and was initially named Certhia novaehollandiae...
.
Common vegetation on the exposed heaths on the headlands and cliffside paths include; Coastal Rosemary (Westringia fruticosa
Westringia fruticosa
Westringia fruticosa is a shrub that grows near the coast in eastern Australia. The flowers are white, hairy and have the upper petal divided into two lobes. They also have orange-to-purply spots on their bottom half....
), Darwinia Darwinia fascicularis
Darwinia fascicularis
Darwinia fascicularis is shrub in the myrtle family which is endemic to areas near Sydney. The habitat is poor sandy soils, in dry eucalyptus forest or heathlands in high rainfall areas. It grows from as far north as Gosford in the Central Coast to Bulli near Wollongong. The sub species oligantha...
ssp. fascicularis, Bracelet Honey-myrtle (Melaleuca armillaris
Melaleuca armillaris
Melaleuca armillaris, known as the Bracelet honey myrtle, is a plant native to South Australia and Victoria in southeastern Australia. It also has a subspecies, Melaleuca armillaris sub. akineta, that is found in South Australia....
), She-oak (Allocasuarina distyla), White Kunzea (Kunzea ambigua), Sundew (Drosera spathulata), Grass Trees (Xanthorrhoea
Xanthorrhoea
Xanthorrhoea is a genus of flowering plants native to Australia and a member of family Xanthorrhoeaceae, being the only member of subfamily Xanthorrhoeoideae. The Xanthorrhoeaceae are monocots, part of order Asparagales. There are 28 species and five subspecies of Xanthorrhoea.-Description:All are...
spp.), Ridged Heath-myrtle (Baeckea imbricata),Snakehood Orchids (Pterostylis
Pterostylis
Pterostylis is a terrestrial deciduous genus of some 100 or so species of orchids found mainly in New Zealand, Australia, Papua New Guinea and New Caledonia. The common name of this orchid is Greenhood - a number of species have green flowers with the dorsal sepal forming a "hood" over the rest of...
sp.), prostrate forms of Coast Banksia (Banksia integrifolia
Banksia integrifolia
Banksia integrifolia, commonly known as Coast Banksia, is a species of tree that grows along the east coast of Australia. One of the most widely distributed Banksia species, it occurs between Victoria and Central Queensland in a broad range of habitats, from coastal dunes to mountains...
) and Long-Leaf Matrush (Lomandra longifolia
Lomandra longifolia
Lomandra longifolia, commonly known as Spiny-head Mat-rush, Spiky-headed Mat-rush or Basket Grass is a perennial, rhizomatous herb found throughout eastern Australia. The leaves are 40 cm to 80 cm in long, and generally have a leaf of about 8mm to 12mm wide . It grows in a variety of soil...
).
Common Vegetation on top of the ancient sand dunes above the coastal path include: Silver Banksia (Banksia marginata
Banksia marginata
Banksia marginata, commonly known as the Silver Banksia, is a species of tree or woody shrub in the plant genus Banksia found throughout much of southeastern Australia. It ranges from the Eyre Peninsula in South Australia, to north of Armidale, New South Wales, and across Tasmania and the islands...
), Scrub-oak (Allocasuarina distyla
Allocasuarina distyla
Allocasuarina distyla, or Scrub She-Oak, is a shrub or small tree of the She-oak family Casuarinaceae endemic to New South Wales....
), Silky Hakea (Hakea sericea
Hakea sericea
Hakea sericea, commonly known as Needlebush or Silky Hakea, is a large species of shrub native to Australia. It is native to New South Wales, Victoria and Tasmania but is found outside these states. It grows up to as a spreading and bushy shrub, flowering from winter to early spring.H...
) and Pine Heath (Astroloma pinifolium
Astroloma pinifolium
Astroloma pinifolium, commonly known as Pine Heath, is small prostrate shrub or groundcover in the family Ericaceae endemic to eastern Australia.-Taxonomy:...
).
Sections of rare and threatened clifftop grasslands occur along exposed and windy sites which are generally dominated by Long-leaf Mat-Rush (Lomandra longifolia
Lomandra longifolia
Lomandra longifolia, commonly known as Spiny-head Mat-rush, Spiky-headed Mat-rush or Basket Grass is a perennial, rhizomatous herb found throughout eastern Australia. The leaves are 40 cm to 80 cm in long, and generally have a leaf of about 8mm to 12mm wide . It grows in a variety of soil...
) and Kangaroo Grass (Themeda australis).
Many heath specialist birds are present in the heaths which include; Lewin Honeyeater (Meliphaga lewinii), New Holland Honeyeater (Phylidonyris novaehollandiae), Beautiful Firetail
Beautiful Firetail
The Beautiful Firetail is a common species of estrildid finch found in Australia. It has an estimated global extent of occurrence of 1,000,000 km². The species inhabits temperate shrubland habitats in Australia...
(Stagonopleura bella), Chestnut-rumped Heathwren
Chestnut-rumped Heathwren
The Chestnut-rumped Heathwren is a species of bird in the Pardalotidae family.It is endemic to Australia.Its natural habitats are temperate forests and subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests.-Australia:...
(Hylacola pyrrhopygia) and the Southern Emu-wren
Southern Emu-wren
The Southern Emu-wren is a species of bird in the Maluridae family. It is endemic to Australia. Its natural habitats are temperate forests and Mediterranean-type shrubby vegetation.-Taxonomy:...
Littoral rainforest
In Royal National Park, littoral rainforest (often the first type of vegetation destroyed during coastal development) has survived the ravages that occurred elsewhere during the 19th and 20th centuries. An example of this vegetation occurs behind Jibbon Beach, and includes a typical Tuckeroo (Cupaniopsis anarcoides) forest, under grown by Coastal Tea Tree (Leptospermum laevigatum) and Long-Leaf Matrush (Lomandra longifolia).Exposed uplands
Valley sides
On the sides of the steep river valleys that punctuate the uplands the terrain changes to exposed rock with collected pockets of soil. Although still fairly rocky, a large number of eucalyptusEucalyptus
Eucalyptus is a diverse genus of flowering trees in the myrtle family, Myrtaceae. Members of the genus dominate the tree flora of Australia...
and other tree species are prevalent. Small streams are to be found reasonably frequently and understory plants cohabitate with the larger trees, although the terrain is still fairly open and easy to move through. Tree heights in this area reach an average maximum of about ten metres. The plant mix and geography conditions in this area are typical of much of the terrain in the coastal areas of New South Wales
New South Wales
New South Wales is a state of :Australia, located in the east of the country. It is bordered by Queensland, Victoria and South Australia to the north, south and west respectively. To the east, the state is bordered by the Tasman Sea, which forms part of the Pacific Ocean. New South Wales...
but with many widespread genera having highly localized species in the Royal National Park. This sort of habitat is one of the most floristically diverse in Sydney Basin.
This environment is classed as sclerophyll open forest and is divided into "Dry" and "Wet" sclerophyll forest. Factors shape this habitat are primarily bushfires, low phosphorus/nitrogen levels, intense summer heat and low water levels. Resulting in a diverse floristic assembly of flora and fauna with apparently divergent paths in similar habitats, for example scribbly gums (Eucalyptus racemosa/sclerophylla/haemastoma) have smooth barked trees in a manner which reduces their chance of catching on fire while stringy barks (Eucalyptus sp.) have bark which easily catches alight clearing the way for its fire-stimulated seedlings.
Commonly encountered vegetation in this environments include but are not limited to; Sydney redgums (Angophora costata), Sydney Peppermints (Eucalyptus piperita), Port Jackson Pine (Callitris rhomboidea), Red Bloodwoods (Corymbia gummifera), Pomaderris sp., Old Man Banksia (Banksia serrata), Hairpin Banksia (Banksia spinulosus), Rock Banksia (Banksia oblongifolia), Sydney Boronia (Boronia ledifolia), Native Sarsaparilla (Smilax glyciphylla), Violet Twining Pea (Hardenbergia violacea), Dusky Coral Pea (Kennedia rubicunda), the traditional narcotic Hop Bush (Dodonaea triquetra), Native Pea(Dillwynia sieberi), sometimes Dwarf Apple (Angophora hispida), parasitic Devils Twine (Cassytha sp.), Native Panic (Entolasia stricta), Lepidosperma sp. grass, Forest Grass Trees (Xanthorrhoea arborea), Sydney Waratah (Telopea speciosissima), Flannel Flowers (Actinotus minor as well as Actinotus helianthi), Bluberry Ash (Elaeocarpus reticulatus), Silky Hakea (Hakea sericea), Variable Bossiaea (Bossiaea heterophylla), Bonnet Orchids (Cryptostylis erecta), Hyacinth Orchids (Dipodium variegatum/punctatum/roseum), Pomax umbellata, Native Parsley (Lomatia silaifolia), edible Native Currants (Leptomeria acida), Broad Leaved Geebungs (Persoonia levis), Sydney Golden Wattles (Acacia longifolia), Gymea Lilies (Doryanthes excelsa), various Sheo-oaks (Allocasuarina littoralis/distyla/verticillata etc.), Flax Leafed Wattle (Acacia linifolia), Bracken (Pteridium esculentum), Grey Spider Flower (Grevillea buxifolia/sphacelata), Red Spider Flower (Grevillea oleoides), Pink Spider Flower (Grevillea sericea) and Native iris (Patersonia sericea/glabrata/longifolia) to literally name a few of the hundreds of beautiful flora encountered in this diverse and widespread habitat. Even certain hybrid species may be encountered such as the common Banksia ericifolia x spinulosus or the rarer Angophora costata x hispida.
Birds that frequent this habitat include; Golden Whistlers (Pachycephala pectoralis),Yellow-tailed Black Cockatoos (Calyptorhynchus funereus), Laughing Kookaburra (Dacelo novaeguineae), Eastern Whip Birds (Psophodes olivaceus), New Holland Honey Eaters (Phylidonyris novaehollandiae), Eastern Spinebill (Acanthorhynchus tenuirostris), Rufous Whistler (Pachycephala rufiventris), Willie Wagtails (Rhipidura leucophrys), Superb Fairy Wrens (Malurus cyaneus), Crimson Rosella/Mountain Lowry (Platycercus elegans), Yellow-rumped Thornbill (Acanthiza chrysorrhoa) and White-browed Scrubwrens (Sericornis frontalis).
Other commonly encountered animals in this habitat include; Native Honeybees, Wallaroos (Macropus robustus), Common Echidnas (Tachyglossus aculeatus) as well as other far rarer species such as the Koala (Phascolarctos cinereus), the Dingo (Canis lupus dingo) or the predatory native marsupial the Spotted Quoll (Dasyurus maculatus spp. maculatus).
Valley floors
Eucalyptus
Eucalyptus is a diverse genus of flowering trees in the myrtle family, Myrtaceae. Members of the genus dominate the tree flora of Australia...
species dominate. Tree height reach 50 metres or more and a rich understory of fern
Fern
A fern is any one of a group of about 12,000 species of plants belonging to the botanical group known as Pteridophyta. Unlike mosses, they have xylem and phloem . They have stems, leaves, and roots like other vascular plants...
, wattles
Acacia
Acacia is a genus of shrubs and trees belonging to the subfamily Mimosoideae of the family Fabaceae, first described in Africa by the Swedish botanist Carl Linnaeus in 1773. Many non-Australian species tend to be thorny, whereas the majority of Australian acacias are not...
, and other medium-size plants proliferate. Some small areas are classified as temperate rainforest
Temperate rain forest
Temperate rainforests are coniferous or broadleaf forests that occur in the temperate zone and receive high rainfall.-Definition:For temperate rain forests of North America, Alaback's definition is widely recognized:-Global distribution:...
. These areas are characterized by dense groves of very large trees including the iconic Port Jackson Fig (Ficus rubiginosa) and Moreton Bay Fig ("Ficus macrophylla") trees. The absence of light leads to a lack of undergrowth other than a profusion of ferns. These are among the more popular areas for visitors to the park. The park service is also very careful to protect these areas due to their general rarity in the hot, arid Australian landscape.
Impressive groves of Turpentine (Syncarpia glomulifera) and Blackbutt (Eucalyptus pilularis) trees may be seen growing straight up into the sky forming an open canopy with widely spaced trunks. In these characteristic areas they are generally considered open forest, they may have a grassy understory, a sclerophyll shrubbery or alternatively they may have a rainforest subcanopy or a rainforest understory with growth being densest nearest to the valley floor or permanent watercourses. In these turpentine forests often hundreds of Cabbage Palms (Livistona australis) may be seen growing in dense tall thickets which are rarely touched by fire or they may exist as young plants in open grassy spaces which are burnt regularly enough not to form visible trunks. Rainforest pockets are dominated by Jackwood and Sassafras
Doryphora sassafras
Doryphora sassafras, commonly known as Sassafras, Yellow-, Canary- or Golden sassafras, or Golden Deal, is a species of evergreen tree of the family Atherospermataceae native to the subtropical and temperate rainforests of eastern New South Wales and Queensland, Australia...
. The Lilli Pilli (Acmena smithii) produces a fruit edible raw. Another common species is the Coachwood (Ceratopetalum apetalum) which were used extensively from Australian rainforests to manufacture horse-drawn coaches.
Birds distinctive to these rich rainforest habitats include; Topknot Pigeons (Lopholaimus antarcticus), Green Catbirds (Ailuroedus crassirostris), Rufous Fantails (Rhipidura rufifrons) and Black-faced Monarchs (Monarcha melanopsis). Two interesting birds often encountered in dense scrub or rainforest include the flightless Brush Turkey (Alectura lathami) and the noise mimicking Superb Lyre Bird (Menura novaehollandiae).
Riparian forest
In a zone generally up to 10-25m away from running water grows a distinct vegetation community often containing many rare or threatened species only found along several streams in the world. Common vegetation growing in this zone include; Blackbutt (Eucalyptus pilularisEucalyptus pilularis
Eucalyptus pilularis, commonly known as Blackbutt, is a common and dominant tree of the myrtaceae family native to southeastern Australia. A large tree, it is identified by the stocking of rough bark, to about half way up the trunk, above this is white smooth bark. The leaves are a uniform glossy...
), Sydney Red Gum (Angophora costata
Angophora costata
Angophora costata is a common woodland and forest tree of Eastern Australia and is known by a variety of names including smooth-barked apple, rose gum, rose apple or Sydney red gum. It grows primarily on sandstone soils, usually on headlands, plateaus or other elevated areas. A...
), Water Gums (Tristaniopsis laurina
Tristaniopsis laurina
Tristaniopsis laurina, the Water Gum or Kanooka is a tree native to Australia, where it usually grows near the eastern coastline and along the banks of streams, where the trunks and branches tend to be shaped in the direction of the current and give an indication of the flood height. It is popular...
), Bottlebrush (Melaleuca
Melaleuca
Melaleuca is a genus of plants in the myrtle family Myrtaceae known for its natural soothing and cleansing properties. There are well over 200 recognised species, most of which are endemic to Australia...
sp.), Tea Trees (Leptospermum sp.), Woolsia (Woollsia pungens
Woollsia pungens
Woollsia is a monotypic genus in the heath family Ericaceae. The sole species, Woollsia pungens, is a small shrub found in eastern Australia, from Pigeon House Mountain in southern New South Wales north into Queensland....
), Epacris sp., Heath Banksia (Banksia ericifolia
Banksia ericifolia
Banksia ericifolia, the Heath-leaved Banksia , is a species of woody shrub of the Proteaceae family native to Australia. It grows in two separate regions of Central and Northern New South Wales east of the Great Dividing Range...
), Pittosporum undulatum
Pittosporum undulatum
Pittosporum undulatum is a tree growing to 15m tall with wavy leaf edges. It is sometimes also known known as Sweet Pittosporum, Native Daphne, Australian Cheesewood, Victorian Box or Mock Orange...
, Pine Leafed Geebungs (Persoonia pinifolia
Persoonia pinifolia
Persoonia pinifolia, or Pine-leaved Geebung , is a large shrub which is native to the Sydney region in New South Wales, Australia. It can reach up to 3 metres in both height and width. It has narrow linear leaves to 70 mm long and terminal flower racemes late winter to spring...
), Willow Leaved Hakea (Hakea salicifolia
Hakea salicifolia
Hakea salicifolia commonly known as the Willow-leaved Hakea, is indigenous to New South Wales and Queensland. It is a fast-growing shrub which grows up to 5m tall with leaves that can grow up to 12 cm long. New growth on the Willow-leaved Hakea has a pleasant rose colouring...
), Lomandra fluviatilis, Bulrushes (Typha orientalis/dominigensis), Rushes (Juncus
Juncus
Juncus is a genus in the plant family Juncaceae. It consists of some 200 to 300 or more species of grassy plants commonly called rushes...
sp.), Reeds (Phragmites australis) and Tree Ferns (Cyathea
Cyathea
Cyathea is a genus of tree ferns, the type genus of the fern order Cyatheales. They are mostly terrestrial ferns, usually with a single tall stem. Rarely, the trunk may be branched or creeping. Many species also develop a fibrous mass of roots at the base of the trunk. The genus has a pantropical...
and Dicksonia
Dicksonia
Dicksonia is a genus of tree ferns in the order Cyatheales. It is regarded as related to Cyathea, but is considered more primitive, dating back at least to the Jurassic and Cretaceous periods. The fossil record includes stems, pinnules, and spores....
sp..
A variety of different molluscs, crustaceans, insects, fish and birds call the riparian zone their home with a variety of life living near on in the creeks of the Royal National Park. Long Finned Eels (Anguilla reinhardtii) which migrate from oceanic spawning grounds as babies and adults mature in the creeks and streams of the Royal National Park and can often be seen in the murky depths of pools and ponds along freshwater courses such as the Hacking River
Hacking River
The Hacking River is a stream in the state of New South Wales in Australia. It rises near the Princes Highway west of Stanwell Tops, and flows through the Royal National Park before emptying into Port Hacking...
.
Mangroves and salt marsh
Mudflats exist along the shoreline of the Royal National Park which is substantial enough to sustain a simplistic system of mangrove woodlands especially along the Port Hacking Estuary with the occasional clump of stunted tree on the seaward coastline in sheltered coves. Vegetation in the mangroves consists almost exclusively of the Grey Mangrove (Avicennia marinaAvicennia marina
Avicennia marina, commonly known as grey mangrove or white mangrove, is a species of mangrove tree classified in the plant family Acanthaceae...
var. australasica) growing up to 4m as well as the River Mangrove (Aegiceras corniculatum
Aegiceras corniculatum
Aegiceras corniculatum, commonly known as Black Mangrove or River Mangrove, is a species of shrub or tree mangrove in the Myrsine family with a distribution in coastal and estuarine areas ranging from India through South East Asia to southern China, New Guinea and Australia.-Description:Aegiceras...
) which is usually only found on the shoreward edge of mangrove woods or in the brackish end of the Port Hacking Estuary.
These mangroves are important nursery grounds for nearly all major angling fish including Yellowfin Bream (Acanthopagrus australis), Flat-tail Sea-Mullet (Liza argentea), Luderick (Girella tricuspidata) and Sand Whiting (Sillago ciliata) which are caught in adjoining waters as adults, mangroves also provide rich organic matter to the Port Hacking Estuary by fixing carbon into the river system through the addition of leaves into the thick rich black mud. Many crustacean and mollusc species rely on mangroves as a source of food whether by providing foraging through leaf litter, mud or direct predation of the mangrove trees and seeds. Soldier Crabs (Mictyris longicarpus
Mictyris longicarpus
Mictyris longicarpus is a species of crab that lives on sandy beaches from the Bay of Bengal to Australia; with other members of the genus Mictyris, it is "one of the most loved crabs in Australia". Adults are across, white, with blue on their backs, and hold their claws vertically. They feed on...
), Semaphore Crab (Heloecius cordiformis), Blue Swimmer Crabs (Portunus pelagicus
Portunus pelagicus
Portunus pelagicus, also known as the flower crab, blue crab, blue swimmer crab, blue manna crab or sand crab, is a large crab found in the intertidal estuaries of the Indian and Pacific Oceans and the Middle-Eastern coast of the Mediterranean Sea. The name "flower crab" is used in east Asian...
) and Hermit Crabs (Pagurus sinuatus
Pagurus sinuatus
Pagurus sinuatus is a large species of hermit crab found in Australia and the Kermadec Islands. It is red or orange in colour with coloured bands on the legs and patches on the body.-Description:...
) also call the mangroves home. A more casual visitor to the mangroves at high tide is the Eastern Sea Garfish (Hyporhamphus australis) which scoots around just an inch from the surface and is virtually invisible unless viewed through a snorkel.
Dozens of different bird species may be seen foraging in the rich mudflats in and around mangrove flats many of these birds being threatened with extinction and protected by international agreements. Commonly seen bird species include; Eastern Curlews (Numenius madagascariensis), Striated Herons (Butorides striatus), Brown Honeyeaters (Lichmera indistincta), Little Egrets (Egretta garzetta), Royal Spoonbills (Platalea regia), White-faced Grey Herons (Egretta novaehollandiae), Australasian Little Bitterns (Ixobrychus dubius), Pied Oyster Catchers (Haematopus longirostris), Australasian Pelican (Pelecanus conspicillatus), Sacred Ibis (Threskiornis molucca), Chestnut Teal (Anas castanea) and Azure Kingfishers (Alcedo azurea).
Tidal rockshelfs and rock pools
A series of sandstone rockshelfs and rock pools fringe the entire coastline and Port HackingPort Hacking
Port Hacking is an Australian estuary, located in Southern Sydney, New South Wales and fed by the Hacking River and several smaller creeks, including Bundeena Creek and The Basin. It is a ria, a river basin which has become submerged by the sea...
Estuary Line of the National Park broken on by small sandy beaches and gentle freshwater inlets. Some of the most commonly encountered molluscs in this habitat include Black Nerites (Nerita atramentosa
Nerita atramentosa
Nerita atramentosa, common name the black nerite, is a medium-sized sea snail, a marine gastropod mollusc in the family Neritidae, the nerites....
), Turbin Snails (Turbo undulata), Zebra Snails (Austrocochlea porcata) as well as the commercially farmed Sydney Rock Oyster (Saccostrea glomerata). One of the most common and distinctive seaweed
Seaweed
Seaweed is a loose, colloquial term encompassing macroscopic, multicellular, benthic marine algae. The term includes some members of the red, brown and green algae...
species that grow among the rock pools and the nearshore rockshelfs is Neptunes Necklace (Hormosira banksii) a seaweed made of small buoyant fleshy bead-like structures which resemble strongly that of a necklace. Beds of the primitive sea-squirt Cunjevoi (Pyura stolonifera
Pyura stolonifera
Pyura stolonifera, commonly known in South Africa as red bait or rooi aas and in Australia as cunjevoi, is a sessile ascidian, or sea squirt, that lives in coastal waters.-Distribution:...
) are common along coastal rockshelfs which are covered by high tide and near sea spray. Considered the most beautiful and obvious of the Royal National Parks' sea anemone is the Waratah Anemone (Actinia tenebrosa
Actinia tenebrosa
The Waratah anemone, Actinia tenebrosa is the most common species of sea anemone found in the waters of eastern Australia. It is found relatively high in the water, in rock pools, and various cracks and shaded surfaces in the intertidal zone. When closed it shows only its dark brown-red outer...
) named after the Waratah flower due to its corresponding flame red coloration. A common sea-star found growing in the rock pools is the Biscuit Sea Star (Tosia australis).
The fatally toxic Blue-lined Octopus (Hapalochlaena fasciata) the most common of the Blue-ringed Octopus
Blue-ringed octopus
The blue-ringed octopuses are three octopus species that live in tide pools in the Pacific Ocean, from Japan to Australia . They are currently recognized as one of the world's most venomous marine animals...
species in the area can when touched prove to be fatal within minutes, they are near impossible to spot unless pointed out and can found in small or large rock pools, the best way to avoid stings completely is to not allowed any part of one's body to enter any rock pool.
Park highlights
- AudleyAudley, New South WalesAudley is a locality on the outskirts of southern Sydney, in the state of New South Wales, Australia. It is located in the Royal National Park and is part of the Sutherland Shire....
- Audley is a large, flat area at the base of one of the larger valleys in the park. The main road into the park from the north drops quickly from the heights to Audley, where it crosses the Hacking River on a weir before climbing up the other side of the valley to continue further into the park. Audley was developed in the late 19th century as a picnic area for Sydneysiders on a day trip. A large, heritage listed timber boathouse from that time still exists on the western bank of the weir and currently rents rowing boats and canoes to allow leisurely exploration of the upper reaches of the river. It also rents mountain bikes. A timber dance hall built in the early 20th century on the eastern bank is available for functions. Large picnic areas, grassy meadows and a café, rest rooms and a colony of hungry ducks complete the picnic picture. Audley is as popular with families today as it was in the 19th century. After a heavy rain the weir floods, closing the road and forcing the residents of Bundeena to drive an extra 30 kilometres to the southern end of the park if they wish to drive to Sydney. - Jibbon point- This is the southern head of Port Hacking and has fine views over the SutherlandSutherland, New South WalesSutherland is a suburb in southern Sydney, in the state of New South Wales, Australia. Sutherland is located 26 kilometres south of the Sydney central business district and is the administrative centre for the local government area of the Sutherland Shire....
peninsula. Aboriginal rock art sites are visible which were used as initiation sites, the name Jibbon stems from the Dharuk word for Geebung (Persoonia sp.), during winter-spring masses of 1-2m tall silvery Paper Daisies (Coronidium elatumCoronidium elatumCoronidium elatum is a perennial herbaceous shrub in the family Asteraceae found in Australia. Previously known as Helichrysum elatum, it was given its new name in 2008....
). - Eagle Rock - A unique rock formation near Curracarong, about halfway down the length of the park on the coast. It is a large rock outcrop that looks like an eagle's head when viewed from the side. The other remarkable feature of Curracarong are the several waterfalls which tumble over the cliffs and into the sea over one hundred metres below.
- Garie BeachGarie BeachGarie Beach is a beach located in the Royal National Park, on the outskirts of southern Sydney, in the state of New South Wales, Australia.-History:...
- One of the most popular coastal surf beaches in the park. Garie Surf Life Saving Club - WattamollaWattamollaWattamolla is a cove and lagoon on the New South Wales coast south of Sydney, within the Royal National Park.Wattamolla is the local Aboriginal name, meaning "place near running water". That name was recorded as Watta-Mowlee by Matthew Flinders, but is today spelt Wattamolla...
beach has a large lagoon tucked behind the beach, which then enters the sea via an ankle-deep stream at one end of the beach. Families enjoy playing in the calm lagoon with their young children whilst adults enjoy the clean, even surf. There is substantial parking places provided but on busy summer Sundays and public holidays, it can fill up early . Wattamolla is a sheltered cove with a sandy bar at the inlet behind which lies a lagoon fed by the waters of Wattamolla Creek and Coote Creek. Coote Creek finds its way down another valley, then as a beautiful waterfall, it rushes over a sandstone rock face into the lagoon below.Day Tour Sydney - 'Figure 8' pool south of Burning Palms, New South Wales
- Werrong beach is the only legal naturist beaches in the park. It faces east on the Pacific OceanPacific OceanThe Pacific Ocean is the largest of the Earth's oceanic divisions. It extends from the Arctic in the north to the Southern Ocean in the south, bounded by Asia and Australia in the west, and the Americas in the east.At 165.2 million square kilometres in area, this largest division of the World...
. The hill behind the beach is covered in trees and undergrowth. Those who camp overnight can be woken at dawn by wallabies wandering around the campsite or a Ranger who might fine you for illegal camping. - Lady Carrington Drive - Lady Carrington Drive was one of the early roads through the park. It runs south from Audley, roughly following the Hacking River upstream from the weir for a distance of about 10 kilometres (6.2 mi) to its end, where it meets the main sealed road through the park (there is limited parking at the southern end). The road was a popular carriage drive in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. It had long been closed to traffic and now forms one of the most popular walking and cycling tracks in the park. It is mostly flat and well formed (although unsealed) and being a former road averages 4 to 5 metres (12 to 18 feet) in width. It passes through valley floor vegetation and in spring is lit up by brilliant yellow displays of wattle trees and oranges and reds of the Australian native Banksia trees and Waratah flowers. Many secondary schools in the Sutherland ShireSutherland ShireThe Sutherland Shire is a Local Government Area in the Southern Sydney region of Sydney, Australia. Geographically, it is the area to the south of Botany Bay and the Georges River...
area use Lady Carrington Drive for an annual sports or fundraising event where their students walk from the southern end through to Audley where a large barbecueBarbecueBarbecue or barbeque , used chiefly in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, New Zealand and Australia is a method and apparatus for cooking meat, poultry and occasionally fish with the heat and hot smoke of a fire, smoking wood, or hot coals of...
picnic is held. - North and South Era beaches. Era Surf Life Saving Club
Naturism
Royal National Park offers one legally sanctioned and several unofficial naturistNaturism
Naturism or nudism is a cultural and political movement practising, advocating and defending social nudity in private and in public. It may also refer to a lifestyle based on personal, family and/or social nudism....
beaches, for experiencing harmony between nature and the human body.
Werrong Beach is "the only authorised nude bathing area in the national park".
Informally listed places are:
- Little Jibbon Beach
- Jibbon Beach
- Ocean Beach